The World Video Game Hall of Fame, founded in June 2015, has revealed its 2018 list of finalists. Winners will be introduced on May 3, and the nominees include classic games such as Call of Duty, Asteroids, Dance Dance Revolution, Metroid, Minecraft, Spacewar, Half-Life, Final Fantasy VIII, and Tomb Raider.
Award winners are heavily influenced by the opinion of gamers, who have a collective say in the final decision. This year’s edition allows gamers to have a voice until April 4, with a team of game experts reaching a consensus on who to induct to the Hall of Fame.
The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame names the 12 finalists for 2018. #videohall https://t.co/2wgizy2fme pic.twitter.com/dQ4Os4yoAw
— The Strong Museum (@museumofplay) March 27, 2018
What are the parameters to become a nominee?
Hall of Fame officials have clarified that, in order to be a nominee for potential induction, games must have proven their popularity over time and be of great influence in gaming or any other form of entertainment. Games can also earn nominations for their pop culture relevance.
Museum officials communicated that over 100 countries submitted nominations. However, the museum takes the liberty to review their options before making public the final list. Jon Paul Dyson, director of the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, said that finalists must span “decades, gaming platforms and countries of origin.”
Dyson emphasized the importance of having achieved an undeniable impact in both gaming and pop culture worlds for games that wish to be considered finalists.
Vote for your favorite #videohall finalist in this year’s Player’s Choice ballot. https://t.co/BNniBHAUAK pic.twitter.com/Rnn3r2eRQt
— The Strong Museum (@museumofplay) March 28, 2018
Meet the 2018 finalists for the World Video Game Hall of Fame
Among the most notable games on the finalist list, Call of Duty is probably the most recognizable for younger generations of gamers. Nonetheless, the merit of this game is that it is responsible for the popularization of World War 2 scenarios in first-person shooter games, launched by Infinity Ward and Activision, the game has achieved sales success with more than 260 million copies sold since 2003.
Metroid comes as a strong representative for Nintendo. Originally launched in 1986, this game presented the first playable human female character in the world of popular gaming. Metroid’s main character Samus has also gained recognition due to her role as a Super Smash Bros. favorite character.
Minecraft has been widely popular among youngsters as well since its first release in 2009. Being a new entryway to some sort of Lego experience, the game allows players to build block structures and create amazingly elaborated worlds.
Last but not least, there is an undeniably popular old-school nominee. Ms. Pac-Man is also in the race, and for many gamers, this should be an automatic winner since no other on the list is more of a pop culture icon.
Source: World Video Game Hall of Fame
